Alternate title: Proof that the “but where would I wear it” excuse is dead
You know the scene. You’re strolling with your long-suffering friend through the racks and you find something marvelous. Your heart catches in your throat because you just know that what you found is so you and that you would look glorious in it. Like Rihanna at the Met Ball glory, but maybe in less expensive fabrics.
And then you drop that age-old excuse for not living your best life: “but I have nowhere to wear it”. Ughhhhhhhhhhhh.
I get it – if it’s truly something out there like Scarlett O’Hara’s gross curtain gown, then yes , you’re right. No one should be wearing that.
But if it’s something like a fun statement top? Oh no, there is no excuse. If it makes you shine, you will find a way to wear it. And I will help you.
For instance: This sheer, heavily embroidered, bell-sleeve cardigan that is extravagant by any standard.
I love this thing. I got it from Rent the Runway (thanks to my Mama! Their membership is a lifesaver), and the designer is a super fun contemporary brand called Alexis.
So you found your statement top. Now what?
Earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane
Scenario 1: You have a bangin’ party or dinner or theater performance to go to.
Good for you! (And equally good that you probably wouldn’t have used a lame word like “bangin’.”)
- Get your cute booty in some tailored pants or dark washed jeans, depending on the formality of your event
- Get some shoes you’re excited about – reach for something in the same color family as your top, or go for black
- Gather your accessories – earrings, necklace, bracelet, belt, bag and rings (any combo, or pick and choose)
- Get your top on, climb onto your heels (or flats), and party on.
For this look, the top is rather boxy, so I belted the thing. The big, honking belt gives it a glam early/90s vibe. Since it’s sheer, I wore a black bra that I felt comfortable with showing. Sky-high heels and sa-weeeeet star ear climbers finished it off, and if I say so myself, it’s not a bad look.
Scenario 2: You’re not going anywhere fancy
Staying in, or going to a casual coffee, lunch, or dinner? You can still wear your awesome top.
This, in my book, is the essence of style – because dressing a piece DOWN is much harder than dressing it up. It really comes down to how comfortable YOU feel in your own skin, without all the smoke and mirrors. It’s so simple, and yet so not – because it’s not a stepwise equation. It’s about how you feel in your body, in those clothes, and in whatever space you’re in.
But if I were to make steps, they’d look something like this:
- Choose your bottoms – I like good old medium wash Levi’s. Embrace the informality of worn-in jeans
- Scale down the accessories – definitely still use them, just make them smaller. Smaller rings, daintier necklaces – just less drama. Maybe not a gigantic belt, for example.
- Make accommodations so that you are comfortable. If your top is by nature uncomfortable, pick a different one. You have better things to do than get distracted by straps giving you hives.
- I didn’t belt the top, letting the sheerness of it take centerstage as opposed to creating a dramatic shape. I wore this top all day working at home, and comfort is important to making it feel natural.
- Habit – Get in the habit of wearing those separates that you love but that you’ve filed away to the “when I have a special occasion” category. Pair them with jeans and go about your business – you’ll be surprised at how quickly it starts to feel normal.
The point of this exercise is to LIVE A LITTLE. Life is not serious enough that you can’t play with your wardrobe. Have fun – it’s one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
love
Stig.
Statement Tops
